DIY Coconut & Peppermint Lip Balm

A Nourishing Botanical Lip Balm | 100 g Formula

Soft, smooth lips with a refreshing touch of peppermint.

Give your lips a little everyday luxury with our Coconut & Peppermint Lip Balm, a simple, waterless formulation made with coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and a hint of peppermint.

This beautifully rich balm melts gently onto the lips, helping to soften dry skin and create a protective layer that reduces moisture loss.

Perfect for DIY beginners, it is easy to customise and makes a lovely handmade gift.

Why You'll Love This Formula

• Naturally derived ingredients: A simple blend of plant oils, botanical butter and beeswax.
• Moisturising feel: Coconut oil and cocoa butter soften and condition dry lips.
• Protective finish: Beeswax creates a light barrier against moisture loss.
• Refreshing aroma: A small amount of peppermint essential oil adds a cooling, minty scent.
• Waterless formulation: No added water or conventional emulsifier is required.
• Beginner-friendly: Straightforward melting, mixing and pouring process.

The Formula

Batch size: 100 g
Total: 100%

Ingredient	Percentage	Weight	Purpose
Coconut Oil	35%	35 g	Softens and conditions lips
Cocoa Butter	25%	25 g	Adds richness and firmness
Beeswax	20%	20 g	Creates structure and a protective film
Sweet Almond Oil	19.3%	19.3 g	Improves spreadability and softness
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)	0.5%	0.5 g	Antioxidant
Peppermint Essential Oil*	0.2%	0.2 g	Minty fragrance
Total	100%	100 g

The peppermint level is a proposed starting point, not a verified safe concentration for every peppermint oil. Use only a lip-suitable grade and confirm the supplier's current IFRA Category 1 documentation and other applicable safety restrictions before making the fragranced version. For a fragrance-free balm, replace the 0.2% peppermint oil with additional sweet almond oil.

Equipment You'll Need

• Digital scale accurate to 0.01 g
• Double boiler
• Heatproof glass beaker
• Thermometer
• Stainless-steel spoon or spatula
• Lip balm tubes or small cosmetic tins
• Clean paper towels

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1 — Prepare Your Workspace

Clean and completely dry all equipment, containers and utensils before beginning.

Weigh each ingredient accurately using your digital scale.

Step 2 — Melt the Base

Add the beeswax, cocoa butter and coconut oil to a heatproof beaker.

Place the beaker in a double boiler and heat gently until all ingredients have completely melted.

Stir occasionally to create a smooth, uniform liquid.

Step 3 — Add the Liquid Oil

Remove the mixture from the heat.

Add the sweet almond oil and stir thoroughly.

If the mixture begins to solidify, briefly return it to gentle heat until fluid again.

Step 4 — Add Vitamin E and Peppermint

Allow the mixture to cool while remaining pourable.

Add the vitamin E and, if using an appropriately assessed peppermint essential oil, incorporate it according to the supplier's temperature and handling recommendations.

Stir thoroughly for even distribution.

Step 5 — Pour Into Containers

Carefully pour the liquid balm into clean, dry lip balm tubes or cosmetic tins.

Work relatively quickly, as the beeswax and cocoa butter will begin to set as the mixture cools.

Step 6 — Allow to Set

Leave the containers undisturbed at room temperature until completely solid.

Once set, close the lids and label your finished lip balms.

ByMarsi tip: Make a small test batch first. The final firmness depends on the specific wax, butter and ambient temperature.

How to Use

Apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips whenever additional softness and protection are needed.

Reapply as required.

Avoid applying peppermint-containing products to cracked, inflamed or highly sensitive lips, and discontinue use if stinging or irritation occurs.

Ingredient Substitutions

Coconut Oil — 35%

Alternatives: Babassu oil or a suitable fractionated coconut oil.

Babassu oil provides a different melting profile, while fractionated coconut oil is liquid at room temperature and can significantly soften the finished balm.

Cocoa Butter — 25%

Alternatives: Mango butter or shea butter.

Mango butter provides a softer feel, while shea butter produces a creamy and nourishing finish.

Changing the butter may require adjusting the wax percentage.

Beeswax — 20%

Vegan alternative: Candelilla wax.

Candelilla wax is generally harder than beeswax, so it should not be substituted at the same percentage without testing and rebalancing the formula.

Sweet Almond Oil — 19.3%

Alternatives: Jojoba oil, sunflower oil or apricot kernel oil.

For those avoiding nut-derived ingredients, a suitable sunflower oil can be considered.

Peppermint Essential Oil — 0.2%

Alternative: Omit it for a fragrance-free lip balm.

You can also investigate a cosmetic-grade, lip-safe flavour designed specifically for lip products. Its use level must follow the supplier's guidance.

Do not substitute another essential oil at the same concentration without checking its specific safety limits.

Vitamin E — 0.5%

Use a suitable cosmetic-grade tocopherol product.

Vitamin E helps slow oxidation of oils, but it does not prevent microbial contamination.

Understanding the Ingredients

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil gives the balm a smooth texture and helps soften dry lips.

It also contributes to the balm's melting behaviour.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is a solid botanical fat that adds richness, firmness and a luxurious feel.

Its naturally creamy texture makes it popular in body butters and lip care.

Beeswax

Beeswax provides structure and helps create an occlusive film, reducing moisture loss from the lips.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil improves slip and spreadability, helping prevent the finished balm from feeling excessively waxy.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil contains aromatic constituents such as menthol that create its characteristic scent and cooling sensation.

Because lip skin is delicate, peppermint may cause stinging or irritation. More fragrance is not necessarily better.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in oil-based formulations.

It is not a substitute for a preservative where microbiological protection is needed.

Safety and Storage

Lip-product fragrance safety: Lip balms fall under IFRA Category 1. Check the exact peppermint essential oil's composition, applicable IFRA restrictions and supplier documentation. An IFRA certificate alone does not establish the complete safety of a finished cosmetic product.

Sensitive lips: An unscented version is preferable for sensitive, damaged or easily irritated lips.

Storage: Keep the balm in a clean, closed container away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Avoid introducing water during use.

Shelf life: A reliable expiry date cannot be established from the recipe alone. Stability, oxidation and packaging compatibility require evaluation.

Allergies: Check for sensitivities to almond oil, beeswax, peppermint and other ingredients.

For commercial sale: A lip balm sold in the UK needs an appropriate cosmetic product safety assessment, compliant labelling, notification and other applicable regulatory requirements.

Final Thoughts

Making your own lip balm is a wonderful introduction to cosmetic formulation.

With just a few carefully chosen ingredients, you can explore the relationship between oils, butters and waxes and create a balm with the texture you love.

Whether you choose the refreshing peppermint version or a simple fragrance-free alternative, this DIY Coconut & Peppermint Lip Balm is a lovely project for your next creative afternoon.

With love,
ByMarsi Boutique

Explore our cosmetic ingredients and discover more DIY skincare formulations at ByMarsi Boutique.